Debt Consolidation Through A Secured Loan
Proponents of debt consolidation often push it as a strategy for getting debt under control. They say it’s an easy way to save money and protect your credit rating. But this tactic for managing your debts has drawbacks, too. Here are some of the pros and cons of getting a secured loan to consolidate your debts.
I Have Debts How Can I Still Get A Mortgage
If you have debts getting a mortgage will be more difficult. But it is not impossible. There are things you can do to put the odds in your favour.
First, you should check your credit file yourself to identify any mistakes. Sometimes errors can contribute to mortgage rejections. Another tip is to put down a bigger deposit. The more money you can save and put upfront, the more comfortable you will make a potential mortgage lender.
Have A Fixed Repayment Schedule
If you use a personal loan to pay off your debt, youll know exactly how much is due each month and when your very last payment will be. Pay only the minimum with a high interest credit card and it could be years before you pay it off in full.
Takeaway: By having a fixed repayment schedule, your payment and interest rate remain the same for the length of the loan, theres no unexpected fluctuation in your monthly debt payment.
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Should I Apply For Debt Consolidation
Depending on your circumstances, debt consolidation could be the right option for you. To find out more information, get in touch and well be able to help determine whether this solution could benefit you.
We can give you this answer at no financial obligation to you so you really have nothing to lose.
Just click the button below and youll be taken to our application form. Once thats done, well be able to identify if debt consolidation can help you a step which may potentially help your credit score in the long-term.
Can You Get Debt Consolidation If You Have Poor Credit
Poor credit does limit your debt consolidation options. If your credit score is mediocre, you may qualify for a personal loan or balance transfer card. However, the interest rates may be high, making neither option worth the hassle. If your credit is truly poor, debt management and bankruptcy may be your only options.
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Debt Consolidation Usually Helps Your Credit Score
While your will probably take a small hit when you apply for a debt consolidation loan, paying off revolving accounts like credit card balances with an installment loan can improve your credit score a great deal, almost instantly. Thats because of another credit scoring factor called credit utilization.
Running Up Credit Card Balances Again
Debt consolidation loans can take away the oppressive burden of overwhelming debt very quickly, but if consumers are undisciplined, they could find themselves in worse trouble.
When consumers go through the hard work of paying off their debt payment by payment, they learn valuable lessons. Chances are strong that they will be less likely to run up their debt again. However, with a debt consolidation loan, it can be all too easy to continue to spend and live above ones means.
Consumers that take a debt consolidation loan to pay off their debt and then continue to accumulate debt on credit cards can spend their way into financial ruin. If theyve used their home to obtain a loan, they could put their most valuable asset at risk.
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Debt Consolidation Loan Vs Balance Transfer Card
Balance transfer credit cards are another way to consolidate debt that could reduce your interest to as low as 0%. These cards let you transfer the balance from all your credit cards to a single card and pay that off with no interest for an introductory period ranging from 6-to-24 months. However, there are a few things to consider before applying for one.
For starters, you will need a good credit score to qualify for a card with a 0% intro rate. Lower credit scores may still qualify, but the interest rate likely will be higher. Also, pay close attention to balance transfer fees, which some credit card companies charge up front. Most cards charge 2%-to-3% of the amount owed. If you owe $10,000, that means another $200-to-$300 added to your bill.
Which brings us to the big question: Can you pay off your entire debt in the time frame allowed? If you dont, the regular interest rate kicks in on the balance, and the range in late 2020 was somewhere between 16% and 25%.
Once again, do ALL the math, before deciding this is the right way to eliminate credit card debt.
Types Of Debt Consolidation
There are three main types of debt consolidation you can take advantage of. These include loans, credit card balance transfers and debt relief.
- Debt consolidation loans.These loans help you to pay off all of the debts that you owe at one time, so youre left with just a single loan and one easy payment. This makes your debt load easier to manage and can save you money on interest and late payment fees. You can also use a loan to pay off your credit cards if you want to diversify your debt portfolio to improve your overall credit score.
- If you only have credit card debt, you can consolidate by transferring all of your outstanding credit card balances to a low-interest card. This can save you a significant amount of money on interest and combine all of your debts into one easy payment. Just make sure you understand how aggregate and single-card credit utilization rates can affect your score if you go this route.
- Working with a debt relief company.Working with a debt relief company can help you reduce the total amount of money you owe. This is a good solution if you simply cant afford to consolidate your loans as they stand. Just be aware that this option can significantly reduce your credit score for a long time and should be avoided wherever possible.
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Will Debt Consolidation Stop A Lawsuit
Yes, debt consolidation can stop a lawsuit. Collectors merely want to be repaid for what they let you borrow they do not care how you repay. Whether you repay your debt using a balance transfer card, personal loan or a debt management program, any form of payment is favorable to a costly lawsuit.
Likewise, both Chapter 7 and Chapter 13 bankruptcies can stop lawsuits. When you file for bankruptcy, an automatic stay goes into place, which provides legal protection against any collection actions.
What Debts Can Be Included In Debt Consolidation
First, its important to understand there are two kinds of debt: secured and unsecured debt. Secured debt is tied to an asset, like a home or vehicle, while unsecured debt isnt. Credit cards are an example of unsecured debt. What you can pay off with debt consolidation will depend on the debt consolidation method you choose.
Home equity loans or lines of credit are flexible, and you can generally pay off whatever you please. Debt consolidation loans are usually flexible as well, but their interest rate is likely going to be higher than the interest you are currently paying on your secured loans, like your mortgage and/or auto loan. In that case, it wouldnt make much sense to pay off either with a debt consolidation loan, because youll pay more in interest.
Only unsecured loans can be paid off through a debt consolidation program. Again, there is no asset tied to an unsecured loan that can then be taken away in case you default on your payments. Unsecured loans include:
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Budgeting And Creating Money Saving Plans
It might sound obvious but reassessing your finances and updating your budget may just help you reduce your debt faster. Making a comprehensive list of all of your outgoings and being strict with yourself can help you cut back in ways you may have not even thought of.
It also gives you the chance to be creative maybe youve been with your energy provider forever, but you could be getting a deal elsewhere. Having a shop around could save you a little here and there thatll help you reduce your debts in the long run.
Why Do People Consolidate Debt
When you consolidate debt, you open a new credit account, such as a personal loan, credit card, or home equity loan, to pay off multiple existing debts. That leaves you with one payment instead of multiple accounts to manage.
If you have good credit, you may be able to get a lower interest rate than the combined effective rate youve been paying on multiple debts. That saves money over the long run.
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Your Next Steps For Debt Consolidation
Its key to remember that even though your credit card debt may feel overwhelming, there are options available to help reduce that monthly burden. Because everyones debt is a little different, youll need to put together an accurate monthly budget to know how much cash is coming in and going out. Here are other steps you should consider when consolidating debt:
- Research all your financial options thoroughly before taking any action
- Review your monthly cash flow and trim away at unnecessary spending
- Inquire with mortgage lenders about current refinancing rates
- Build a realistic plan that gets you out of debt in a less expensive way
With a little homework, and a lot of determination, you may be able to reduce your monthly payments and still tackle credit card debt.
Maintaining good financial health doesnt have to be difficult. Thats why weve put together our financial advice section on money matters. While youre considering your lending options, remember to reach out to your American Family Insurance agent and review your homeowners policy. Youll find real peace of mind with a carefully crafted policy that meets your insurance needs and your budget.
The Effects Of Debt Consolidation On Your Spouse
Debt consolidation is a method that helps you to combine your debts into a new loan. This loan can then be paid off slowly over a set period of time. The idea behind debt consolidation is to make it easier for you to handle your debt and slowly pay it off. It is often the case that the new loan offered will have a lower interest rate than the rate on each of your current loans. This can be a convenient way to make payments on your debt easier and quicker. However, when you consolidate your debts, you will end up using a new loan, and your spouse will have to be a co-signer for the loan. While this may be a good thing in the long run for your finances, it is definitely something you will want to make sure your spouse is on board with before you sign any paperwork.
When you decide to consolidate your debt, you have to take into consideration the fact that your spouse will be affected as well. Debt consolidation is not a decision you should take lightly, especially when you have a family. You need to set up a plan that will allow you to pay off your debt and establish a solid financial future for your family. Not only that, but debt consolidation is only the first step in getting your finances back in order. The ultimate goal is to be able to pay off your debt and start saving for the future.
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Will A Debt Consolidation Loan Ding My Credit Score
Dear Credible Money Coach,
Is it true that when you do a debt consolidation loan, it hurts your credit? Twila
Hello Twila, and thanks for your question. Debt consolidation affects your credit differently depending on how you structure it and manage the loan payments. It can be a wise way to manage multiple high-interest debts without hurting your finances.
If youre considering a personal loan for debt consolidation, compare rates from multiple lenders to get the best offer. Credible makes it easy to see your prequalified personal loan rates in minutes.
Pros Of Consolidating With An Unsecured Loan
The biggest benefit to an unsecured debt consolidation loan is that no property is at risk. And, while the interest rate might be higher than a secured loan, it could be lower than what’s charged on your different credit card balances or other loans, which lowers your interest burden and your payment.
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Will A Debt Consolidation Loan Look Bad On Your Credit Report
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When trying to deal with debt, consolidating your credit cards and high-interest loans can help you save a lot of time and money. Debt consolidation is a great way to get out of debt and more often than not it can help save you from financial ruin. While getting out of debt can be life-changing, you need to consider how a debt consolidation loan will affect your credit.
Will it look bad on your ? Will it affect your ability to get the loan you need? And how do you go about consolidating your debt so that it wont negatively affect your credit rating? Well go over all of these questions below so that you can be as equipped as possible to finally tackle your debts.
What Makes Up Your Credit Score
Technically, you have many different credit scores, depending on which scoring model a lender uses. The most commonly used scoring model is FICO, provided by the Fair Isaac Corporation.
FICO takes these factors into account when calculating your score:
- Payment history Your payment history is the most important factor that determines your credit score. A history of on-time payments shows lenders that youre more likely to repay a loan.
- Amount owed This is how much total credit you owe compared to your available credit.
- Average age of accounts This includes how long youve been managing your credit-based accounts, how old your oldest account is, the age of your newest account, and how long its been since you used certain accounts.
- New lines of credit Lenders also consider accounts with a short history and recent inquiries for new credit.
- Your credit mix is the different types of credit-based accounts you have and manage, such as auto loans, credit cards, and student loans.
If you want to see what rates you might qualify for without hurting your credit, visit Credible to compare personal loan rates from various lenders in minutes.
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How Else Debt Consolidation Affect Mortgage Applications
The above explanation shows how debt consolidation can prevent bigger debts and the need to use services which harm your credit rating. But debt consolidation could help your mortgage in another sense.
Debt consolidation is used to make clearing any remaining credit you owe in a more affordable way. If mortgage providers see your outstanding debts, loans and credit cards as less risky i.e., easier for you to pay off you may have a better chance of getting an approval.
However, the benefits of debt consolidation and applying for mortgages will differ between applicants. A mortgage application is a meticulous and personal process, making it hard to determine the blanket benefits of debt consolidation.
How To Build Your Credit Score After Taking Out A Debt Consolidation Loan
If you take out a debt consolidation loan, here are some things you can do to build your credit score:
- Make payments on time, every time. A debt consolidation loan can help you build a strong credit history, but only if you make your monthly payments on time and in full.
- Create a budget. Your budget should account for your new loan payment and other monthly bills, and you can also use it to help prevent overspending.
- Avoid creating new credit card debt. Once youve paid off your credit card balances, its important to limit making additional credit card purchases, especially if your budget wont allow you to pay the statement balance in full each month.
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Proper Debt Consolidation Lowers Your Monthly Payments
There are many benefits to debt consolidation, and the first one is the possibility to lower your monthly payments. Consequently, this improves your financial cash flow and keeps more money in your pocket for other things that matter. Ultimately, a debt consolidation when done right has the potential to improve your qualify of life.
Requirements For Debt Consolidation
Borrowers must have the income and necessary to qualify, especially if you’re going to a brand new lender. Although the kind of documentation you’ll need often depends on your , the most common pieces of information include a letter of employment, two months’ worth of statements for each credit card or loan you wish to pay off, and letters from creditors or repayment agencies.
Once you get your debt consolidation plan in place, you should consider who you’ll pay off first. In a lot of cases, this may be decided by your lender, who may choose the order in which creditors are repaid. If not, pay off your highest-interest debt first. However, if you have a lower-interest loan that is causing you more emotional and mental stress than the higher-interest ones , you may want to start with that one instead.
Once you pay off one debt, move the payments to the next set in a waterfall payment process until all your bills are paid off.
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